First molecular detection of Neospora caninum from naturally infected slaughtered camels in Tunisia

Background: Neospora caninum has been documented to infect most domestic wildlife but is known to primarily infect dogs and cattle and is considered an important cause of abortion in camels. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the molecular detection of Neospora caninum in tissues of naturally infected camelids. Methods: Brain, tongue (bottom and tip) and masseter muscles from 35 slaughtered camelids from Tataouine and Medenine regions were collected (n = 140 samples). PCR was used to amplify and detect N. caninum DNA in tissues samples followed by sequencing of some PCR products. A phylogenetic tree was then constructed to compare the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene with GenBank sequences. Histopathology examination was used to detect Neospora spp. cysts, but no lesions were observed. Results: The overall molecular detection of N. caninum in camelids was 34.3% (12/35). The highest molecular detection of N. caninum was recorded in animals of more than 3 years old (6/9) and in animals aged between 1 and 3 years old (4/12). Whilst, the lowest molecular detection (2/14) was observed in animals 1 year or younger (p = 0.035). There were no significant differences in molecular detection of N. caninum according to both locality and gender (p > 0.05). Similarly, there was no difference of prevalence between different anatomical locations. Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene revealed 100-95.5% similarity among our N. caninum amplicon (MW551566) and those deposited in GenBank. Conclusion: These results highlight the presence of a risk infection by N. caninum in camels. For preventing N. caninum infection further studies are needed to improve our knowledge about the epidemiology of neosporosis in North Africa.

Automated summary

This study aimed to estimate the molecular detection of Neospora caninum in naturally infected camelids. The overall molecular detection of N. caninum in camelids was 34.3%. The highest detection rate was found in animals over 3 years old, followed by animals aged between 1 and 3 years old. There were no significant differences in detection rate according to locality, gender, or anatomical location. Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene showed similarity between our amplicon and GenBank sequences.